Lim Xuan Zhen MyPaper AsiaOne 1 Jul 15;
THEY are a crowd favourite in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Pasir Ris Park, but not so on the island of Sentosa.
Wild otters have apparently expanded their hunting grounds to ornamental koi ponds on Sentosa and are now targeting multi-million-dollar bungalows and even the garden pond of a hotel. Their hunting spree is believed to have started around late April and lasted about three weeks.
An employee of the hotel, who declined to be named, told My Paper that about 80 of the 200 koi housed in the hotel's pond were preyed on by a pair of otters, resulting in losses of about $20,000. About 55 of the remaining 120 were badly injured and had to be disposed of.
"They're very smart," the employee said of the otters' modus operandi.
"They come out to feed only in the wee hours, when there's nobody around, and go for the stomachs of the more valuable fish."
Based on eyewitness accounts from other staff and closed-circuit television footage, it is believed that the otters entered the hotel via the beach.
My Paper understands that the pair have eluded capture despite attempts to trap them. The hotel released the surviving 65 koi back into the pond on Friday and they have remained safe - so far.
Residents on the other side of Sentosa have similar woes. Sentosa Cove resident Maria Chandra, 51, lost $64,000 worth of koi overnight.
"I was so heartbroken," recalled the housewife in Mandarin. Her maid alerted her to the "gory scene" in her Ocean Drive home one morning in late April. The mutilated remnants of her pet fish floated belly-up in the bloody pool, with some bitten in half. Many were missing their tails, while a few struggled weakly in their death throes.
"I have lived on Sentosa for the past three years without incident, and this event coincided with the otter sightings on Singapore shores. Other koi owners in the area have also suffered from this problem," said Mrs Chandra.
She had received a letter from the Sentosa Cove management before the incident, alerting residents to wild otter sightings in the area. It reassured residents that these animals were not aggressive, but should be avoided nevertheless.
When contacted, the Sentosa Development Corporation confirmed that a letter was sent to Sentosa Cove residents, but declined to comment further.
Meanwhile, Charles Wee, 42, is no stranger to the Sentosa otter problem. The farm manager of Max Koi Farm was first alerted by a frantic call from the Chandras, who had bought their koi from the farm. According to Mr Wee, two other clients in the area have encountered similar problems, with their koi dying or disappearing overnight.
Founder and chief executive of Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) Louis Ng, 37, confirmed that the descriptions fit those of smooth-coated otters, which are bigger than the small-clawed oriental otter also found in Singapore.
"The otters are probably preying on the koi as they are easy to catch in the pond," he told My Paper. He advised members of the public against approaching the animals upon sighting them.
Should members of the public see any injured otters, they can call the Acres Wildlife Rescue Hotline on 9783-7782.
Did otters eat koi worth $80,000?
Samantha Boh Straits Times AsiaOne 9 Jul 15;
Otters that are being spotted more often in local bodies of water in recent times may have won over many hearts here with their antics.
However, they may have treated themselves to some very expensive meals - courtesy of a resort and a home in Sentosa. They are suspected of having feasted on ornamental koi, reportedly costing more than $80,000, in April this year.
Mr Ben Bousnina, vice-president of resorts at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, did not reveal the exact cost of the koi. He said they went missing at the Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa about the time otters were seen on the island.
The resort has relocated the koi from its pond temporarily.
"As the safety of our guests as well as colleagues is our highest priority, we are working closely with Sentosa Development Corporation to ensure that the otters will not be attracted to the resort," he said.
FISH IS FISH
A report in My Paper last week said that the resort lost about $20,000 worth of koi.
It also reported that a Sentosa Cove resident lost about $64,000 worth of the ornamental fish overnight in April .
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) told The Straits Times it has received feedback on only four occasions from people about otters preying on ornamental fish since the start of last year.
Meanwhile, wildlife rescue group Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) said it was normal for otters to prey on ornamental fish.
"They can't differentiate wild fish from koi and will go for the easier option," said Acres wildlife manager Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan.
His advice for people with fish ponds in areas with otters about is to either fence the ponds or cover them with wire mesh. They should also not leave leftover food around or feed the otters.
Wild otters are a fairly common sight at the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Pasir Ris Park and the Punggol Waterway, but it was only late last year that they were spotted in Sentosa Cove.
Mr Koh Piak Huat, divisional director of operations at Sentosa Leisure Management, said that while otters are not aggressive, residents are advised to keep their distance.
The semi-aquatic mammals - which can survive in both fresh and sea water - may be expected in some coastal areas.
Hence the island's management is engaging experts to understand the mammals' behaviour.
"We welcome them as part of the island's wildlife," he said, adding that the management will work to ensure the safety of both the otters and guests.
An AVA spokesman said the public should not approach, disturb or feed any wild animals they see. Trapping them is also illegal. The public can contact AVA at 1800-476-1600 to give feedback on wildlife.
